Amir Khan believes Anthony Joshua needs to box in America soon if he is to become a global sporting star.

Khan (31-4, 19 KOs), who makes his long-awaited ring return on April 21 against Phil Lo Greco, knows what it's like fighting in the US having boxed there 10 times so far during his professional career.

"When you fight in America you become that global star, and that's what I did," Khan told Sky Sports. "Why not fight in a country where heavyweight boxing is big?

"One thing about the heavyweight division that AJ should definitely watch is -- it's always been big in America with Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield.

"If he wants to make a big name, I think he might want to fight there first.

"He will build his name up, he will get a good knockout against some up and coming fighter, and then he will be ready [to fight WBC champion Deontay Wilder], because people will see him live on TV and live in America.

"They will be like: 'This fight needs to happen now.' That's a fight people want to see in America, they are already talking about AJ. I think he should go there."

Joshua is scheduled to fight Parker in his next fight in Cardiff. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Wilder aside, fight fans are clamouring to see an all-British match-up between Joshua and rival Tyson Fury, a fight Khan believes shouldn't take place in the near future.

"I think Fury might need a little more time," said Khan. "He's a great fighter, one of the best fighters in the heavyweight division.

"It's not a 50-50 fight at the moment, because Fury has been out of the ring for such a long time. I think if Fury maybe gets two fights under his belt, and then takes that fight, then you can say it's a 50-50.

"At the moment, I give it 70-30 to Joshua. That's a Wembley fight, definitely."